Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2007
Clinical TrialPrediction of meningioma consistency using fractional anisotropy value measured by magnetic resonance imaging.
Preoperative planning for meningiomas requires information about tumor consistency as well as location and size. In the present study the authors aimed to determine whether the fractional anisotropy (FA) value calculated on the basis of preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor (DT) imaging could predict meningioma consistency. ⋯ The FA value calculated from preoperative MR DT imaging predicts meningioma consistency.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2007
Historical ArticleVault reduction cranioplasty for extreme hydrocephalic macrocephaly.
Due to early diagnosis and treatment of hydrocephalus, neurosurgeons rarely are called upon to treat patients with extreme hydrocephalic macrocephaly. Macrocephaly can limit mobility and hygiene. The critical evaluation and surgical correction of the morphological problem of macrocephaly secondary to hydrocephalus is complex. ⋯ Limitations of vault reduction cranioplasty include the inability to alter the anteroposterior and lateral diameters of the skull base, the inability to shorten the superior sagittal sinus, and the need to avoid infolding of the brain due to the risk of venous infarcts. Reduction cranioplasty is indicated in the occasional patient whose large head size represents a mechanical or cosmetic problem of sufficient magnitude to seriously interfere with motor development and functioning, with resultant development of pressure sores and difficulties with nursing care. Reduction cranioplasty should be avoided in patients under the age of 3 years.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2007
Multicenter StudyIs repeated radiosurgery an alternative to staged radiosurgery for very large brain arteriovenous malformations?
The results of a novel radiosurgical approach to treat large arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with repeated radiosurgery are presented and discussed. ⋯ Repeated radiosurgery seems to be a viable option for some AVMs considered to be too large for conventional radiosurgical treatment. The incidence of posttreatment hemorrhages seems to be a larger clinical problem than radiation-induced complications.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2007
Alpha-II spectrin breakdown products in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a novel biomarker of proteolytic injury.
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASAH) is a serious event with grave consequences. Delayed ischemic neurological deficits caused by cerebral arterial vasospasm contribute significantly to death and disability. Biomarkers may reflect brain injury and provide an early warning of impending neurological decline and stroke from ASAH-induced vasospasm. Alpha-II spectrin is a cytoskeletal protein whose breakdown products are candidate surrogate markers of injury magnitude, treatment efficacy, and outcome. In addition, all spectrin breakdown products (SBDPs) can provide information on the proteolytic mechanisms of injury. ⋯ Differential expression of SBDPs suggests oncotic necrotic proteolysis may be predominant in acute brain injury after ASAH and cerebral arterial vasospasm.